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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

Winter Cover

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JohnMD
Navigator

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USA
207 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/14/2005 : 09:09:42

Does anyone have a picture of a 250 with a cover on it? Not a tarp, but a real cover. My wife, during a moment of weakness, offered to make a cover using Sunbrella for my 250 WB. Now I just have to decide how I want it made. There are pros and cons to going over the stanchions, over the mast, or around the stanchions. I was just wondering how the pros are doing it. Thanks

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2005 : 09:51:41

John,

I had a cover for my Hobie 18... where needed, slits were provided for getting around obstacles that protruded the cover and the slits provided with ties spaced often enough close the slit. It also used velcro at some points.

Several years ago, I made a sunbrella full cover for the hatch and it does a great job. I've noted that the Catalina cover is only a half or 2/3 cover and doesn't cover all the perimiter joint of the pop top which collects air born trash. A hatch cover is in my opinion both a minimal and a reasonable approach to good covering except where leaves might be a problem.

If the boat is kept waxed well, the nonskid sealed, and a hatch cover in place... the results are pretty good. Without these efforts... the boat can get scraggle looking fairly quickly.

Edited by - on

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2005 : 10:11:39

John,

I agree with Arlyn.....to a point. I live in northern Michigan which gets lots of snow in winter, leaves in the fall, and pollen in the spring. While I have found that it is largly unnecessary to cover the topsides, it is helpfull to cover the deck and cabin completely. I use the mast as a ridgepole and a number of small tarps to do this. I do not cover over the stancions. Doing so makes the overing "pitch" too flat to carry a snow load. It also makes a larger surface area for winter winds to catch and blow around. I use bungee cords to secure the tarps.

Your wife is a generous person who obviously has some skills with a sewing machine. You're a lucky guy.

Al
GALLIVANT #5801

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bear
Admiral

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USA
909 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2005 : 11:41:34

Arlyn, Do you still have a drawing or measurements taken for that cover? The reason I didn't buy Catalina's was for the same reason as you stated. I assume you used the canvas enclosure snaps as an anchor
point for the cover. I have a canvas shop down the street who would do this job but I had difficulty measuring it out. THANX again

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2005 : 12:24:24

I don't have a drawing... but I recall that I ordered 4 foot wide sunbrella and was prepared for a cross seam but that in fact the 4 ft is just enough to turn under for a seam on each side and make the pop top snaps work.

The sunbrella was simply layed on top and weighted with bricks after carefully positioning. Then it was just a matter of using side walk chalk to make an X at each snap location and a finer mark with marks-a-lot in the center of each snap. The forward and aft sections then trimmed to allow the same border for the snaps as existed on the sides.

I'm betting if the snaps were located as outlined above, the canvass shop could handle it from there without the need of the boat.

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sterngucker
Navigator

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USA
169 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2005 : 14:59:05

I bought the companionway cover with my boat but found the dark blue color supplied by Catalina created too much heat underneath it. In the desert southwest you really have to be careful what colors you chose. The surface really cooks under those dark colors, probably 130 degrees plus. I am going to have to make/buy one out of a lighter color, preferably bright white (I think that is called "natural" in sunbrella colors). My 2 cents.

Sidenote: One of the screw in snaps that holds the companionway cover and pop top cover broke out of the fiberglass. Might someone please suggest the best material to use to reseat it? (marine-tex maybe?)

Edited by - sterngucker on 03/14/2005 15:05:03

bear
Admiral

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USA
909 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2005 : 16:58:52

I was just thinking that if you don't cover the front hatch and the anchor cover in the winter time you will have a problem with water drainage. At least where there are freezing temperatures. I just don't think that drainage around that hatch is going to happen and water is going to freeze and sooner or later end up on the forward berth when the snow or ice melts.

Edited by - on

bear
Admiral

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USA
909 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2005 : 16:59:12

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.